[Smartin]

Being in the state "above" MO, I believe i can make this one without too much fuss! I might have the 58's frame done by then. [img]<>/smirk.gif[/img]

[BJM]

Bill,
Of course this venue caught my eye. OK, I will reup on the membership, make Colorado Springs this year as a Volunteer and be available for all services in 2010.

I have no cars at all anymore and do not 'plan' on buying any so I will be available throughout the process to make this 2010 meet a success.

I am surprised the Hawkeye Chapter is not hosting, even as a figurehead with most of the duties coming from other sources. The Hawkeye Chapter has many fine members in it including a past President of the BCA. I trust those in the chapter will treat it as a host opportunity.

I am literally 15 minutes away from greater Ames. For those who might think this is a 'letdown' or such I can only tell you that the Des Moines Iowa to Ames corridor hosts the Goodguy Nationals Midwest meet every July 4th bringing in 15,000 people to the fairgrounds and thousands of cars. In July 2008, Des Moines hosted the Packard Club's National Meet.

In 2005, West Des Moines hosted the Cadillac LaSalle Club's Grand National Meet. So we have the infrastructure and culture to welcome this kind of event.

Ames is an excellent choice. It is home to Iowa State University and therefore has the restaurants and associated venues infrastructure. It is a well kept city that can get congested when 30,000 plus college kids are in town, which they won't be. We will have the town to ourselves. I35 runs north and south and the Lincoln Highway (a.k.a. Hwy 30) is mostly four lane divided. I80 is 30 miles away.

There is at least one impressive private collection in town that I may be able to wrangle a site visit to as an event. Also, very importantly, Ames sits on that Highway 30, much better known as The Lincoln Highway. Those coming in from the east going west will see occasional landmarks similar to Route 66.

For driving tours, no problem. Ames is close to Boone Iowa, home of the scenic Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, as mentioned in the post header. How about a leisurely 30 minute drive west to Boone where we can privately charter a scenic train ride over the Des Moines River Valley while classic Buicks take up the parking lot? It's a great experience to ride on a restored passenger train from the golden days or train travel.

Ames also has a place called Reiman Gardens, a butterfly sanctuary that offers a step into tropical opulance and natural beauty. Reiman also has Gardens to visit simultaneously.

These are just 'off the cuff' ideas - I am sure there are many more I and others can think of to make the event popular as a vacation destination. Sounds like the planners have already done their homework.

Good job Bill and everyone. I look forward to assisting any way I can, to the maximum of my abilities.

[imported_jscheib]

I think the Lincoln Highway would be an interesting tie-in as this was the subject of a recent PBS Special and they have a Lincoln Highway web site. I will take a look at that and se what kind of form that could take.

John

[serb]

Jake,

I knew you were out there and would respond to Rick and Bill's postings. Good going!

Stevo

[BJM]

Yea yea Stevo. I look forward to judging your Riviera...again.

[buick4547]

I live in Omaha, but I am a native Iowan as well as an Iowa State Cyclone fan so I know a little something about the Iowa State Center area. This area is made to order for the National. There are tons of hard surface parking area due to the close proximity of Jack Trice Football Stadium and Hilton Coliseum Basketball Arena. It is all "right" there.

In addition, there are large expanses of grassey areas as a part of the center. The Reimer Gardens are right there as well, and are gorgeous. The Butterfly Exhibit is just amazing. It is a huge butterfly house with many butterflies flying everywhere. They check you as you leave the house to insure you don't have exotic butterflies stuck on your clothes, and you may well have them. Really neat.

I'm excited about this choice. I think Buick visitors will be too.

[RICK YOUNG]

4547
I concure.
Consider this your and anyone out there's invitation to help. Should be lot's of fun

RY

[cfBuick]

Sounds like it will be a great time. Rick, I especially like your line that reads...

Quote:

* GREAT TASTIN' FOOD COOKED BY "GOD FEARIN' WOMEN"

Priceless... [img]<>/grin.gif[/img]

[WWS]

Guys,
Put me down to help out. I am happy to do so. I havent done much lately with the local chapter, as rebuilding from the floods took most of my time. All done and behind us, so looking forward to doing some "car things" this summer, and I really would like to see this show done right.
Mark Lob
319-247-2403 office
319-361-6465 cell

[serb]

Quote:

Yea yea Stevo. I look forward to judging your Riviera...again.
_________________________
Bryan "Jake" Moran

Jake, I meant to ask you about this statement. Did you judge my Riv in Batavia?

stevo